With the holidays coming up, many people are starting to think about what turkey to buy for their festive meals. Two of the most popular turkey brands in the United States are Butterball and Jennie-O. But which one is better? Here is a comprehensive comparison of Butterball vs Jennie-O turkeys to help you decide which brand you should choose for your holiday table.
Popularity
Both Butterball and Jennie-O are very well-known turkey brands in the US. Butterball is the largest producer of turkeys in the country. It sells over 1 billion pounds of turkey every year, accounting for around 20% of the total US turkey market. Jennie-O is the second largest turkey brand, with annual sales of over 650 million pounds of turkey. So while Butterball sells more overall, Jennie-O still has a sizable market share.
Varieties
Butterball offers a wider selection of turkey options compared to Jennie-O. Butterball has over 10 different varieties of turkeys to choose from. These include fresh and frozen whole turkeys, turkey breasts, ground turkey, turkey burgers, turkey bacon, deli meats, sausages, and more. Jennie-O has a more limited product range, focused mainly on fresh and frozen whole turkeys and turkey breasts.
Size Options
Both brands provide turkeys in a variety of sizes to accommodate gatherings of all sizes. For whole turkeys, Butterball offers sizes ranging from 10 to 24 pounds. Jennie-O’s whole turkeys range from 10 to 20 pounds. For just turkey breasts, Butterball has sizes from 4 to 16 pounds available while Jennie-O offers 2 to 14 pound turkey breast options. So no matter how many people you are cooking for, both brands have sizes to fit your needs.
Turkey Prices
| Turkey Type | Butterball Price | Jennie-O Price |
|---|---|---|
| 10 lb Whole Turkey | $13.99 | $11.99 |
| 16 lb Whole Turkey | $21.49 | $19.29 |
| 5 lb Turkey Breast | $16.49 | $14.99 |
Based on a spot check of prices on major grocery retailer websites, Jennie-O turkeys tend to cost slightly less than comparable Butterball turkeys. The price difference ranges from $1 to $3 less for Jennie-O turkeys across different sizes of whole turkeys and turkey breasts. The pricing advantage for Jennie-O is likely due to the economies of scale they have as the second largest producer.
Turkey Quality
Both Butterball and Jennie-O turkeys are high quality products produced by major national brands. Here is how they compare on some important quality metrics:
Freshness
Butterball offers more fresh turkey options that have never been frozen. Jennie-O seems to freeze all their turkeys before shipping them to stores. So for absolute freshest turkeys, Butterball has an advantage.
Ingredient Quality
The turkeys from both brands are produced without any artificial hormones or steroids. Butterball has a slight edge when it comes to things like antibiotic use. Butterball only administers antibiotics to sick birds when necessary while Jennie-O proactively administers some antibiotics to flocks. Both brands use vegetarian feed without animal by-products.
Certifications
Jennie-O wins when it comes to certifications. Jennie-O turkeys are certified humane by the Humane Farm Animal Care organization. This means their turkeys are raised in a humane environment with access to clean housing, fresh water and a healthy diet. Butterball does not have this certification. Jennie-O also has more organic turkey options certified by the USDA.
Taste Test Results
In blind taste test comparisons between the two brands, tasters generally find both brands to be comparable in juiciness, tenderness and flavor. Jennie-O sometimes scores slightly higher for better consistency from bird to bird. But overall, there is no clear taste test winner between the two.
Health and Nutrition
Turkey is one of the leanest and healthiest sources of protein available. Both Butterball and Jennie-O turkeys provide lots of protein, vitamin B, zinc and other important nutrients. The nutritional value depends more on the specific cut and part of the turkey than the brand. But here are some general nutrition facts if you are counting calories, fat, etc:
| Turkey Type | Calories (3 oz serving) |
Total Fat (g per serving) |
Protein (g per serving) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole turkey, light meat | 135 | 1 | 28 |
| Whole turkey, dark meat | 162 | 5 | 25 |
| Ground turkey | 180 | 9 | 22 |
As you can see, both the white and dark meat from whole turkeys are lean options with lots of protein. Ground turkey has a bit more fat due to the extra skin and other parts used. But overall, both brands provide healthy turkey options.
Turkey Preparation and Cooking
Both Butterball and Jennie-O provide lots of guidance on thawing, preparing and cooking their turkeys properly. Here are some of the key tips:
Thawing
For frozen turkeys, allow 24 hours of thawing for every 4-5 pounds of turkey weight. Thaw in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Place the turkey on a tray or in a pan to catch any juices.
Preparing
Both brands recommend removing the giblets from the turkey cavities before cooking. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water and pat dry. Rub the skin lightly with oil or butter before seasoning as desired.
Cooking
Follow the approximate cook times provided on the turkey packages. Use a probe thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the breast and thigh reach 165°F. Let the turkey rest 20 minutes before carving.
Cooking Methods
You can cook Butterball and Jennie-O turkeys using any method – roasted in the oven, grilled, smoked, fried, etc. Follow the specific guidelines for the cooking method you choose. Deep frying requires the most safety precautions.
Turkey Support and Guarantee
Both brands provide customer support through toll-free hotlines around the holidays. The Butterball Turkey Talk-Line fields over 100,000 calls each November and December. Jennie-O also has a Butterball Talk-Line open from November 1 to December 24.
In terms of guarantees, Butterball offers a full money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with their turkey for any reason. Jennie-O does not seem to offer any similar satisfaction guarantee for their turkeys.
Environmental and Sustainability Practices
When it comes to environmental responsibility and sustainability practices, Jennie-O appears to have a slight edge over Butterball. Some examples:
- Jennie-O turkeys produce around 24% less greenhouse gas emissions and use 27% less energy on the farm compared to conventionally raised turkeys.
- Butterball has made some progress in reducing water usage and energy efficiency at facilities but no detailed reports available.
- Jennie-O discloses use of antibiotics for flocks while Butterball does not report antibiotic usage.
- Both brands purchase grain from sustainable sources but Jennie-O provides more details on sustainable farming partnerships.
While Butterball may be a little behind, both brands seem to be making steady improvements when it comes to environmental practices in turkey production.
Availability
Both Butterball and Jennie-O turkeys are widely available at major grocery stores across the US. Butterball may have a presence in a few more regional or specialty markets. But overall, you should have no problem finding either brand.
Here are some of the major grocery chains where you can find Butterball and Jennie-O turkeys:
- Walmart
- Kroger
- Publix
- Albertsons
- Safeway
- H-E-B
- Meijer
- Food Lion
- Stop & Shop
You may also be able to find their turkeys at warehouse clubs like Costco, at butchers and specialty markets, or directly from their websites.
Conclusion
In the end, it’s a close call between Butterball and Jennie-O turkeys. Jennie-O has an edge when it comes to pricing, certifications, and sustainability. But Butterball offers more variety, fresh options, and a satisfaction guarantee. Really you can’t go wrong purchasing a turkey from either brand.
Here are some final tips for deciding between Butterball vs Jennie-O:
- If you want the absolute freshest turkey, choose Butterball.
- If budget is a concern, pick Jennie-O for the savings.
- If organic or humane certification is important, go with Jennie-O.
- Check sizing to ensure you get a turkey big enough for your gathering.
- Shop early as both brands sell out weeks before Thanksgiving.
Both Butterball and Jennie-O produce juicy, delicious turkeys perfect for holiday meals. Evaluate your priorities and use this guide to help decide which trusted turkey brand is right for your family this year.